ABOVE: New Zealand cyclist Keagan Girdlestone came close to death in June last year after being critically injured in a cycling accident in Italy. Keagan’s amazing recovery allowed him to take part in this year’s gruelling Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic, finishing 55th out of over 300 competitors. LEFT: Cyclists head out of Grafton on the Gwydir Highway at the start of their gruelling ride to Inverell on Saturday.